Dokdo Island: who is the master? Korea or Japan? Part 1

It so happened that between Japan and Korea since ancient times there are various kinds of conflict. In the 16th century, even between the two countries, a war broke out, which is difficult to forget, because it took with it the lives of thousands of people. During the war, many important buildings and cultural heritage of Korea were destroyed and plundered. Today Japan and South Korea are in friendly relations. Tourists from both countries travel freely to each other and not only. In South Korea, many people study Japanese and culture. Also I have several friends of Japanese who are fluent in Korean. In general, everything seems fine. BUT! Not so long ago the question arose about one small island of Dokdo, which is on the border between Japan and Korea.

Dokdo Island

Small geographical information

• In general, Dokdo is 2 large islands and 35 rocks around them
• Area: 18,745 ha
• The highest point is 169 meters
• The island is located to the east of the Korean peninsula
• The island is washed by the Sea of Japan



Plate "Dokdo" on the island itself

Well, let's take a look at the history and get acquainted with the island of Dokdo!

In South Korea, the island of Dokdo was considered part of the nearby island of Ulleungdo. the islands are separated only about 87 km. Going through the ancient Korean sources of the reign of Joseon, you can find records about the island of Dokdo. During the reign of King Sejon, geographic records were recorded that say that the island of Dokdo ( at that time Usando ) and the island of Ulleungdo ( at that time Muryndo ) are located next to each other .

The island of Ulleungdo is surrounded by several small islets. But in clear weather, only Dokdo is visible.

Let's study several numerical indicators. Between the Korean peninsula and Dokdo, 216.8 km , and between the Japanese island and Dokdo island 157.5 km . It seems that Dokdo is closer to Japan. BUT! 130.3 km from the Korean peninsula is Ulleungdo Island, which belongs to Korea, and as I said, between the islands of Ulleungdo and Dokdo only 87.4 km water. I.e, what do we get? Dokdo is located closer to the Korean territory. But these figures are not, in principle, that Dokdo is a Korean island. So we will continue to study this issue.



Изображение Докдо на карте начала ХХ века

In addition to the aforementioned geographic records of Joseon, in the history of Korea it is said that even in the VI century, when the state of Silla existed, the territory of which included the Dokdo island ( in the records it is called Usan ).

Silla is one of the three ancient states of Korea. It existed from 57 BC to 935 AD.

There are other proofs of Dokdo's belonging to the Korean peninsula in other sources:

• Supplemented survey of Korean lands (1531)
• Guide to the conduct of public affairs for the ruler (1770)
• Complemented Korea Encyclopedia (1908)

In historical records of Japan, you can also find evidence of Dokdo's belonging to the Korean peninsula. In one of the reports of 1870 submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan by local officials, there is even the phrase "... the situation in which Takeshima and Matsushima became territories that are part of the state of Joseon".

Joseon is the name of Korea, which she wore from 1392 to 1897. During this period, the government was in the hands of the Li dynasty. The state was founded by King Taejo. According to the legends, the name of Joseon comes from the state of Ancient Joseon, which was founded in 2333 BC. The state existed before Korea became a colony of Japan.



Lighthouse and the flag of South Korea on the island

Negotiations between Japan and Korea in the 17th Century

In the XVII century, two Japanese families Ooya and Murakawa illegally fished near the island of Ulleungdo. One day, in 1693, they stumbled upon the people of Joseon. Both Japanese families sent an appeal to the ruler of Japan. They asked their ruler to forbid the residents of Joseon ( today Korea </ em>) to come to Ulleungdo.

Then, the government of Japan decided to start negotiations with the government of Joseon. Negotiations lasted about 2 years. And as a result, on December 25, 1695, the Japanese government confirmed that Ulleungdo and Dokdo belonged to Korea. These talks are identified in the history of Korea as the "Ulleungdo Borderline Controversy."

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Then in Japan, the island of Ulleungdo was called Takeshima, and the island of Dokdo - Matsushima

In 1696, a decree was issued, according to which the Japanese were forbidden to swim on the island of Ulleungdo.

In 1900, by decree number 41 of the King, the island of Dokdo was transferred to the jurisdiction of Uldogun County, i. the island of Ulleungdo. By the same decree, the king appointed the ruler of Ulleungdo, the ruler of the entire county.

It seemed that the dispute was resolved and it became clear what and to whom…

To be continued

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@irisworld

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